[piosenniel]

Holly felt the flutter of wings near her right ear followed by the tiny weight of the jackdaw as it settled in on her shoulder. ‘This has got to be the longest bit of road and the slowest group we’ve ever journeyed with.’ came the small voice near her ear. Bird spread her tail feathers, fluffed out her body with a vigorous shake, and proceeded to pluck at her wing feathers.

‘I don’t suppose you could do that somewhere else, could you?’ asked the Hobbit, turning her head to look at her rider. ‘Your feathers are tickling my ear and I rather mind the birdy lice that you are so bent on grooming off yourself.’ She ran her index finger under Bird’s feet, and set the indignant bird on one of the packs on Peri’s back.

Bird squawked at her and puffed up again, fixing her with a beady black eye. ‘I’ll have you know I have no lice, you ignorant Hobbit! She ran her beak delicately along one of her tail feathers. ‘I am merely getting everything in tip top shape for all the flying around you expect me to do tomorrow.’

Volondil, amused by this entire exchange, offered his finger for a perch and placed the jackdaw on the fold of his cape that lay on his left shoulder. ‘You can ride with me, Bird. I don’t mind.’ Holly rolled her eyes as Bird turned her head toward her. She could swear she saw the black and white bird stick her tongue out.

Bird she noted soon settled in, and spent much of the time making comments on the members of the traveling group into the Ranger’s ear. He tried not to laugh, but a grin spread on his face, and he finally allowed himself an appreciative chuckle. ‘You’ve got a discerning eye, Bird, and a wicked wit.’ she heard him murmur. ‘And a tongue sharper than any blade I’ve ever faced.’ Bird puffed up, taking it for the compliment it was, and chattered on.

Andreth was walking by Holly’s side, her horse Whinney following along behind Peri. The girl seemed distracted and unfocused, growing sadder by the footstep as they walked toward the Castle. Holly called for a halt of her little group and they sat for a few moments on the side of the road, watching the others pass by. She passed out some dried fruit, and taking a long pull on her water bottle, passed it around, too.

A short while later they were on the way again. Volondil this time had gratefully accepted a ride on Whinney. Bird had flown ahead to check on the happenings in the main group, and Olo walked in front of Andreth’s horse with Peri, staff in hand, keeping an eye out on the trees to either side of the road.

Holly hooked her arm through Andreth’s and talked about the area they were passing through, describing it in artist’s terms – the color, texture, shadings of the landscape as they passed it by. Andreth listened to the soothing chatter of the Hobbit. And soon fell to talking with Holly on all sorts of trivial artistic considerations. Her face brightened a little as cares were pushed to the side for a brief while. A small smile creased the Hobbit’s face, as Andreth framed with her hands a small copse of green, shiny leaved shrubs covered with crimson berries, set on a low hillock against the fading light of the day.

Gandalf called a halt for the evening, and Holly and her companions made a small cooking fire for themselves and laid out their bedrolls. Before the light faded completely, Holly change the dressing on Volondil’s side, noting that the wound had healed nicely, and there was no chance of it breaking open with his movements.

Andreth and Olo had started dinner and Bird still flitted in the twilight, among the branches of the trees. Settling down, Holly noted, on a branch with an excellent view of the Ranger and his movements.

Just before bed, as Holly was wiping dry the last of the pots and bowls, Andreth drew near, and sat on a log near her. The silence between them was palpable, and the Hobbit dried the dishes methodically giving the woman time to collect her thoughts.

Andreth’s small voice stretched out like a thin lifeline. ‘It will be alright, won’t it, Holly.’ she whispered.

Holly’s grave face could not be seen in the darkness as she bent to her task. But her voice sent forth what comfort it could. ‘I think it will, Andreth. Stick by us, and we’ll see you through.’ She piled the last utensil into the waiting compartment of the pack.

‘Best we go to bed now, get some sleep. Tomorrow will prove a long day, I’m sure.’